Distance to empty
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 20
Likes: 8
yeah man that display is always super conservative on newer lexus my cousin had the same issue on his 2025 and it freaked him out but the dealer told him you cant change it because it’s tied to the ecu they keep the range low so people dont run the tank dry best fix is tracking your own mpg for a couple fill ups then you’ll know your real range
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_gauge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_gauge
CL Community Team Leader
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,892
Likes: 836
From: The School of Hard Knocks
I had a Roush Stage 3 Mustang for awhile. One day I go to lunch some coworkers. We cramp inside. It said E but I figured I could go to lunch and back.
On the way back after maybe 4 miles the stang was out of gas. I was shocked lol
On the way back after maybe 4 miles the stang was out of gas. I was shocked lol
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,521
Likes: 261
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Not sure if this is the best place to preach it or not, but, no matter how the Distance-to-Empty indicators work, it is not a good idea to let the tank get below 1/4 full. Very low fuel levels in the tank can damage the fuel-pump on vehicles where the pump is in the tank and lubricated by the fuel-level. Low fuel levels can also fuel to slosh around in the tank from side to side on sharp corners and uncover fuel-ports, allowing momentary fuel-starvation to the computer and injectors and the engine to hesitate or stall. I typically gas up my own vehicle at between one-half and one-quarter.
Last edited by mmarshall; Feb 2, 2026 at 09:23 PM.
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,425
Likes: 201
From: US
Why would you want to? 
First, the sensor-system is set up that way for a reason.....to help make sure you don't run out of gas, especially in an area where there are few stations. Second, in today's vehicles, with the way the fuel-pump and tank-ports are designed, you should not let gas level to drop below, say about a quarter full in the tank. That is because, first, the fuel pump, in the tank, is cooled and lubricated by the liquid gas itself, and, second, because a very low fuel level in the tank allows air in the tank to be drawn into the fuel lines from the ports when the low fuel-level sloshes around, especially in a sharp turn or sudden stop. That could make the engine momentarily stop running.
Nope.....keep your tank at least a quarter-to-half full, and you won't have to worry about it.
First, the sensor-system is set up that way for a reason.....to help make sure you don't run out of gas, especially in an area where there are few stations. Second, in today's vehicles, with the way the fuel-pump and tank-ports are designed, you should not let gas level to drop below, say about a quarter full in the tank. That is because, first, the fuel pump, in the tank, is cooled and lubricated by the liquid gas itself, and, second, because a very low fuel level in the tank allows air in the tank to be drawn into the fuel lines from the ports when the low fuel-level sloshes around, especially in a sharp turn or sudden stop. That could make the engine momentarily stop running.
Nope.....keep your tank at least a quarter-to-half full, and you won't have to worry about it.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Hoovey689
Car Chat
19
Nov 19, 2013 01:38 PM
GFerg
Car Chat
2
May 23, 2007 04:01 PM